An explanation - Viruses in messages

[Sumairp at dex.pathlink.com]

On 22 Apr 2001 11:24:33 -0700, neil at NWJONES.DEMON.CO.UK (Neil Jones)
wrote:

>The Snow White messages that have been sent around are a manifestation
>of the Hybris Virus.
>Technically it isn't a Virus but a combination of a Worm and a Trojan
>Horse.
>A worm being  a program that replicates itself working its way between
>computers.
>In this case the program uses Microsoft Outlook Express to replicate. It
>makes the email progam
>send copies of the virus to everyone in the Address Book. Presumably
>someone has the Leps-l
>address in their address book. It isn't a malicious act as has been
>suggested.
>The Trojan Horse bit is the attachment which is made to look like some
>sexy porn picures or whatever
>which the unforunate victim clicks sending a whole load of new messages
>all carrying the virus.
>
>The email address on the messages is a total fake  and when it was
>created nobody owned the sexyfun.net address.
>Since then an IT specialist has registered the name and uses it to
>provide information about the virus.
>to find our more visit http://www.sexyfun.net/ It is NOT a porn site.
>Don't send them complaints about the virus.
>They didn't make it. They set up the site to help people. The virus
>actually originated in Brazil.
>
>The worst thing about this is Outlook Express was deliberately written
>to include the ability to manipulate
>emails in this way. Microsoft has a lot to answer for here. Now some
>smart idiot :-) has even written virus writing software
>that lets any teenager create their own with very little technical
>knowledge.
>If you don't want to have to deal with these things DON'T USE Outlook
>Express. I have been known to use it but
>I rig it so it can't receive emails and therefore cannot become
>infected.
>You don't even have to use Windows at all for your email This is sent
>using the Linux operating system which
>cost me nothing at all and comes with the most amazing bundled software
>(at least if you are a computer enthusiast.
Absolutely correct. I use the old Netscape 3 for my mail and have
never had a problem. Netscape 4.07 for browsing & IE5 as a last
resort.

Cheers,
Chris Hocking

Micro$oft is packaging 3 OS's together...
They plan on bundling Windows CE, Windows ME and Windows NT together
and calling it Windows CEMENT.
 

 
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